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Above the high pulpit behind the upper part of chandelier is a shal deckel, it was a hood type canopy above the minister to help direct his voice to the congregation. A Hymn board can be seen behind the lower part of the chandelier. The offering poles are on both sides of the pulpit. A swivel chair is in front the the pipe organ. Shades can be seen on the windows. One of several lamps, can be seen in front of the right window. Two Hymn boards, an offering pole, and one of the original wall lamps are displayed in the Sunday School house today.

Below are the close-ups of the written words in the photo

St. Johns Evangelical and Reformed Church and the German School.

Below are the written words of the picture:

Construction dates as recorded on the photo

Confirmands: James Freese,Leroy Richards, Bobby Grosse '35

AN ANUAL PICNIC REMEMBRANCE: In the beginning, the beef was started immediately after church, Alvin Almeling had the beef there, and the beef would be done by 4pm. There were 2 kettles of beef, 1 of coffee, eggs were used to keep coffee grounds in a lump, everyone brought 2 fried chickens, some potato salad, and 2 pies. The slaw was made at church. When cutting pies, stacks of four were cut with a butcher knife, and left on one plate to serve. There were at least 5 tables under the one long shelter to eat. Branches with leaves were used to chase flies from the food. A 1915 Picnic Ad

Winston Minning in front of Hilda Holt, Annie Schemmer, Alice Busdieker, Laura Schmidt, Tillie Masker, Wilma Beier, ?, Sophia Schmidt, ?,       back: ?, Charles Busdieker, Frank Schemmer, Paul Holt

Luke Holt, Paul Holt, Hilda Holt, Elsie Schultz

4 Generations donated the property that the Church Sign stands on.

Alan Busdieker, Erna Brakensiek, Hattie Busdieker with Jeremy Busdieker standing in front.

Louis Brakensiek, Raymond Brakensiek, Kenneth Paul, teacher Ruth Bethold, Leroy Richards, Nora Wildschuetz, teacher Alice Gerderman, Katherine Richards, Leona Niederjohn, and Emily Stratmann

The mural of "Jesus at the Door" was given be the Women's Fellowship Dec '78

Rev Devin Jones on top, John Carlson, Oscar Brakensiek and Sonny Baldwin working on the bottom.

Back row(men except last female): ?, Edwin Hoefner?Bill Nieweg,? Niederjohn ,Bill Stratman, Herman Freese, hidden, Meta Duebbert
3rd row(all ladies): Dora Stratmann?,?, Elsie Freese, ? Niederjohn, ?,Dora Stratman,?,Dena (Freese) Brakensiek, ?
2nd row: ?,Lydia (Giessmann) Freese,Hattie (Niederjohn) Stratman,?, Edna (Holt) Borgelt, ? Niederjohn, ?, Lucinda Brakensiek?, Ella (Heitman) Hoefner
front row: ?,?, George or Theodore Brakensiek, Florence Joerling?, Robert Niederjohn, ?
Help on names would be appreciated!!!

Her husband, Rev E. G. Holder was the Pastor at St. John's 1939 -43.

This was taken one day after her 84th birthday - 29 May 1955

Erna & Theodore Brakensiek, '76

?,Kendall Schmidt, Lennis Wildschuetz, Ray Dieckmann, Laura Schmidt, Bill Taylor, George Schmidt

Making applebutter has been long standing Women's Fellowship project.
l to r: Sidonia Paul, Margie Ellermann, Adele Welge, Jane Wolk, Lawrence Busdieker, Doris Wildschuetz?, Mabel Schmidt?(back view), Jane Brakensiek.

Oscar , Erich, and Emily Brakensiek

Marlene Benne, Loyd Busdieker, Elaine Bote, Wilbert Becker(in back), and Doris Wildschuetz.

This quilt won an award from ?, l to r: Barb Masker, Jane Wok, Erna Brakensiek, Carrie Baldwin 

?, Craig Dieckmann, ?,?,?, Rosel (Busdieker) Schmidt behind ?

Dorothy (Schmidt) Nissing, Alice (Freese) Molitor, Wilma (Micke) Beier, Georgia Lee (Schemmer) Diederich, Alice (Holt) Busdieker, Mathilda (Minning) Mesker, Laura Borgelt, Lydia (Giessmann) Freese, Emily (Stratman) Brakensiek

4th row: Arnold Webbink, ? Omar Willis, Herbert Brakensiek, Verna (Joerling) Brakensiek, Kenny Paul, Warren Nieweg, Boots Joerling, Erich Brakensiek, Art Webbink

3rd row: ? Fuerman, Pete Joerling, Lottie Brakensiek, Laura Joerling, Sidonia Brakensiek, Elsie Linnenbringer, Bud Sherman, Elmer Tucker, ?, Elwood Busdieker

2nd row: Elda Linnenbringer, Hattie (Brakensiek) Busdieker, Eileen Borgelt, Edna Panhorst, Malinda (Brakensiek) Pauk, Emily (Stratman) Brakensiek, Oscar Brakensiek, Lila Fuerman, Edmund Linnenbringer

1st row: Agnes (Wildschuetz) Twiehaus, Dorothy Nieweg, James Freese, Grace (Freese) Twiehaus, Sam Joerling, Hadley Linnenbringer, Gladys Borgelt

back: Laverne Kops, Manvel Holt, Ray Freese, Audry Logan, Vernon Logan     middle: Norbert Micke, Shirley Ellerman, Erwin Brakensiek, Alice Freese, Lavon Schmidt     front: Hazel Wildschuetz, Wesley Brakensiek, Elaine Welge, Tom Holt

Photo taken after Christmas Play practice in 194?